Seasonique

Generic Name: Levonorgestrel

What is Seasonique?

What is the most important information I should know about Seasonique?

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as blood clots, stroke, and heart attack from birth control use. This risk increases with age, especially if you are >35 years old and smoke ≥15 cigarettes per day. You should not smoke while you are taking birth control.

Birth control use is associated with increased risk of heart attack, clotting disorders, stroke, liver tumors, and gallbladder disease. These risks increase in people with a history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, clotting disorders, heart attack, stroke, chest pain, cancer of the breast or sex organs, or liver tumors.

Birth control pills may increase cholesterol levels. Women with high cholesterol should be monitored closely.

Seasonique does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.

You may experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting while taking birth control pills, especially during the first 3 months of use. You may also have irregular periods. If you have missed more than two periods in a row, take a pregnancy test to determine if you are pregnant. Seasonique should not be used in women who are pregnant.

Who should not take Seasonique?

Do not use Seasonique if you are >35 years old and smoke ≥15 cigarettes a day.

Do not use Seasonique if you have a history of heart attack or stroke; heart disease; blood clots in the legs, lungs, or deep veins of your legs; chest pain (angina); diabetes; known or suspected breast cancer; cancer of the lining of the uterus, cervix, or vagina; unexplained vaginal bleeding; yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) during pregnancy or during previous use of oral contraceptives; liver tumors; very high blood pressure; certain types of headaches; are allergic to any of the ingredients in Seasonique; or if you plan to have surgery with prolonged bed rest.

Do not use Seasonique if you think you may be pregnant.

Seasonique should not be used in women who have not had their first period or in women who have reached menopause.

What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Seasonique?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any of the health conditions listed above, and also about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medication you are taking before beginning treatment with Seasonique. Also, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have or have had a disorder or disease of the breast, an abnormal breast x-ray or mammogram, high triglycerides, water retention, depression, migraines or other headaches, seizures, gallbladder disease, history of irregular menstrual bleeding or periods, wear contact lenses, smoke, will undergo surgery with prolonged bed rest, or if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What is the usual dosage?

The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.

Adults: Each light blue-green tablet of Seasonique contains 0.15 milligrams (mg) of levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol. Each yellow tablet contains 0.01 mg of ethinyl estradiol. The dosage of Seasonique is 1 light blue-green tablet for 84 consecutive days, followed by 1 yellow tablet per day for 7 days.

Sunday Start: When taking Seasonique, take the first light blue-green pill on the Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on Sunday, start the first light blue-green pill that same day.

How should I take Seasonique?

Before you start taking Seasonique, be sure to read the directions. You should take Seasonique once daily at the same time every day until the pack is empty.

Use another method of birth control (such as condoms or spermicides) as a back-up method if you have sex any time from the Sunday you start your first light blue-green pill until the next Sunday (first 7 days).

When you finish a tablet dispenser, after taking the last yellow pill, start taking the first light blue-green pill from a new Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispenser the very next day regardless of when your period started. This should be on a Sunday.

If you have been using a hormonal method of birth control (such as a different pill or a patch or vaginal ring) and you do not start Seasonique on the first day after stopping your old method, you might get pregnant before starting Seasonique. Use another method of birth control (such as condoms or spermicides) after stopping your old method of birth control until you have taken Seasonique for 7 days.

What should I avoid while taking Seasonique?

Avoid smoking while taking Seasonique. Also avoid becoming pregnant.

Do not skip pills even if you are spotting or bleeding between monthly periods or feel sick to your stomach (nausea). Do not skip pills even if you do not have sex very often.

What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Seasonique?

If Seasonique is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Seasonique with the following: acetaminophen, antibiotics, anticonvulsants (such as carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin, primidone, and topiramate), phenylbutazone, barbiturates, bosentan, clofibric acid, cyclosporine, felbamate, griseofulvin, certain medicines used to treat HIV and AIDS such as protease inhibitors, itraconazole, ketoconazole, modafinil, morphine, oxcarbazepine, prednisolone, rifampin, salicylic acid, St. John's wort, temazepam, theophylline, troleandomycin, and vitamin C.

What are the possible side effects of Seasonique?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.

Can I receive Seasonique if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Oral contraceptives should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Seasonique?

If you miss one light blue-green pill, take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you can take two pills in the same day. You do not need a back-up birth control method if you have sex.

If you miss two pills or more, consult the patient information that accompanied your prescription or call your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you miss any of the 7 yellow pills, throw away the missed pills. Keep taking the scheduled pills until the pack is finished. You do not need a back-up method of birth control.

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